Hope you enjoy these photos:
Boat Painting
This was a picture I painted in 2009. For more of my art, click on More Art in November, 2010. Enjoy!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Small Things in Life
The world is all about big and great things nowadays: big awards, tall skyscrapers, big countries, gigantic mansions, etc. Everything is about going big, and staying big, because in life, you got to live it big. But then, of course, are all the things that aren't big; those are the small things, and many people believe that those are the things that really matter. In fact, Mother Theresa even says, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." That's the only thing that one can do "greatly". Small things are the things that most people fail to notice in life, especially nowadays. Small things are those little things that go on in life, passing without notice, right before people's very eyes. People desire greatness, so they only notice greatness, but in the same instance, they don't realize what those small things do to greatness. One person that does pay attention to small details is the one and only Sherlock Holmes. With his very keen skill of noticing the small things in life, he teaches people that dreaming big is good, but it's the small details that count. It's all those small details that Sherlock Holmes seems to always notice that escapes other people's eyes that makes him so much more able to solve even the toughest crimes; that's the power of small things. In fact, another man that notices small things is Basho, a Japanese poet. The small things in life- the little flowers spurting, the small cloud in a vast blue sky, and a small fish in the rushing river- these things seem to calm him and provide him with a sense of peace. And it's in these small things, these moments, that count. In a hundred year old life, the one moment one may remember is that moment, that very small moment, where one's loved one smiles and them. It's just a small speck in a vast life, but it's the small moments that count for the most. Small moments or ideas are like the foundation for a giant skyscraper. The small moments are like the foundation, and a stable one is vital, if you don't want the skyscraper to crash. All the big moments are the bricks, and the determination and hard work is the steel supports and the cement. Without any one of them, the skyscraper would not stand. But the most the most important out of all these things is the foundation; it's the most important out of all things. Though most people, when they see the skyscraper, they appreciate the actual building, but every skyscraper has started out as a foundation, something lower than even the ground itself. Every skyscraper started out as nothing more than a whole in the ground, and the small things started filling up the area. As you can see from the example of the skyscraper, with all the small things you do, it can amount to something pretty spectacular. So in life, one has to take in all, and observe everything. Notice the small things, because it might be those things that count the most in the end.
Sports
In the world of sports, everything is about numbers. In baseball, there's the batting average, the OPS, the pitch count, the strikes and balls, and the number of innings. In football, there's the yards left to gain until a first down, the quarter, who's on the field, and if one should kick the field goal, punt it, run it, throw it, or go for the two point conversion, all based on the score. In basketball, athletes must be careful of the time left, where they are when they shoot (three point line or inside it), and the score. The point is that with all these numbers in athletes heads, it gets confusing sometimes. But the successful athletes all know how to prioritize these numbers, and at the top of that list is the number one, as in first place. As a kid, everybody is told to compete with themselves, to do their personal best; but really, all that is is recreational; the real deal is that sports is a competition. There is really no competition that offers awards for participation. Right now, the Winter Olympics are on, and the Olympics are all about being "faster, higher, stronger". But is this a competition against oneself? On the surface, it is definitely not; it's a competition to be better against others, and to be better than others, not oneself. But really, that's not the case; there's a hidden meaning in the Olympics that not much people understand, maybe not even the athletes themselves. The Olympics- any competition, really- is a competition of guts, to get faster, get higher, and get stronger. It's a competition strictly against oneself. The other competitors? As Magic Johnson likes to say, "If you're a competitive person, that stays with you. You don't stop. You always look over your shoulder." The other people, in a competitor's eyes, are nothing but obstacles to overcome, people to help the athlete get better. Everybody performs better when the will is there, and the competition is also there, too; that's a key component. If everything is so easy, then one wouldn't perform at his/her best; their medium is good enough to win, so why try, then? It's when the heat is on, and the other competitors are right behind one, that one has to channel the inner power, and to give it one's all. I've felt this in many instances of my life before, but none as strong as this one time. Me, I've always been a fierce competitor, and I've always wanted to be number one at everything and anything. In PE class one day, we were running the mile. That was the first time; being pretty fast and having good stamina, I easily outran the second place person. The next time, the person gained on me, and steadily, I began to loose my edge until the mile was becoming a neck to neck race. At first, when the competition wasn't heated, I felt like the mile was easy, with everything under control if I just jogged. But then the heat grew more and more intense, until my competitiveness almost forced me to try harder, to work faster, urging my limbs to move like they've never moved before; that's what it feels like as a competitor when the heat is on, that even though a certain objective is well out of reach, it's what one has to aim for. It's as if one's fastest, or best performance, isn't good enough. But the results will show different, as at the beginning of the year, when I hadn't been pressured to do my best, I ran the mile in almost seven minutes and thirty seconds. Now, as my competition grows, to maintain that first place, I've got to run my fastest and try my fastest, and the results have shown, as I now can run the mile in around six minutes. That's the level of competition that one needs to succeed. It's certainly a race against oneself, to be better than one's ever been before, these sporting games. It's like life, having to constantly improve oneself to maintain one's position, or even possibly go up. But this is all hidden behind the competition, who in your eyes are nothing but helpers to help pace one, and help one get on the right track. That's what the competitors see.
Written January 2010, edited December 2010
Written January 2010, edited December 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Derek's Art Slideshow
Here's an updated version of my slideshow (also found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwTSkzk9oFo). It includes some new pieces of art, like this one:
Title: The Parrot
Theme: A flying parrot
Medium: Charcoal
Also, I revised a few of my other drawings/paintings. You can find it here on the top left corner under the video bar (the far left one; the other one has been disabled). Hope you enjoy it!
Friday, November 26, 2010
The American Dream
In the present world of worries, an once common phrase is rarely heard now. Truly, the "American Dream" is rarely uttered nowadays. With the economy still recovering and the United States backing a country nearly at war with its northern neighbor, the American Dream has supposedly become out of reach now. But what truly is the American Dream, was it ever a possible reality, and will it ever be one?
First, to understand the "disappearance of the American Dream", one must first figure out what exactly the American Dream is. Once said, many adults usually are reminded of the dream of owning a house. This idea may have came from an old American custom that separates the lower and middle classes by the ownership of property. However much a symbol for achieving the American Dream, this is not what the American Dream first and should mean. This phrase was first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, when he stated that life should be "better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement, regardless of social class". As James Truslow Adams coined the term "American Dream", the original idea was one of the fundamental pillars that America was built on. The Declaration of Independence stated very clearly that "all men are created equal", and as later generations would find out, Lady Liberty would open its arms to all the other countries' poor and troubled, and embrace them and offer them all the opportunity she offers to everybody else. Truly, everybody who comes to this country is entitled to their unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". That is what the American Dream really is.
During the Great Depression of the early part of the twentieth century, the American Dream was regarded as all but lost as well. But through strong leadership and faith of the people, the Americans pulled out of the Depression stronger than ever, leading to a time of peace and glory that would ultimately put them on top of the globe as the world's most powerful nation. The American Dream isn't just a tangible object that can be possessed. It is a spirit and belief, of patriotism and hope, that carries Americans through their life. It is that hope that maybe, just maybe, we can. It's the same hope that made all those British-American colonists join what looked like a hopeless cause three hundred years ago, and the same hope that makes citizens give up the comforts of their home for the hardships of life as a soldier overseas. It's the same hope that George Washington held in his heart that he can do it, and the same hope that Barack Obama holds in his heart, that truly, "Yes, we can." The American Dream is very much alive today as it was three hundred years ago. The utterance of the word is not as common, but still, inside the heart of every citizen and politician, from the richest to the poorest, the sun that has kept America going for three hundred years is a rising sun, not a setting sun.
Although it's hard to imagine, the American Dream is just as real now as it was five, ten or even fifteen years ago. The American Dream lives in the heart of those few who are brave enough to stare into the eyes of defeat and say, "We still can." The belief that one little step at a time, one vote and a time, we can change the world, is kept alive, fueling the fire inside each and every American's heart. Many doubt the President right now after seeing him in office for two years. His smoothness has worn off after being exposed to the harsh reality of political office. But the American Dream carries on; despite all obstacles or setbacks we might encounter, we still can. Even with the constant bickering of Republicans and Democrats, the unhappy citizens over many laws and policies, and a still uncertain economy, we will succeed.
Being the child of immigrants, I see the American Dream as clearly as anybody. It is the dream that inspired both my parents to move. It was the promise of a better life, not by their status or family wealth, but by nothing but their own skill and determination. It was in hopes that they could provide a better life for me that they moved, and I'm very grateful they did, because now, the dream is passed on to the next generation. A new generation will see the harshness of reality, but still look it right in the eye and not back down.
That is the true American Dream.
First, to understand the "disappearance of the American Dream", one must first figure out what exactly the American Dream is. Once said, many adults usually are reminded of the dream of owning a house. This idea may have came from an old American custom that separates the lower and middle classes by the ownership of property. However much a symbol for achieving the American Dream, this is not what the American Dream first and should mean. This phrase was first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931, when he stated that life should be "better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement, regardless of social class". As James Truslow Adams coined the term "American Dream", the original idea was one of the fundamental pillars that America was built on. The Declaration of Independence stated very clearly that "all men are created equal", and as later generations would find out, Lady Liberty would open its arms to all the other countries' poor and troubled, and embrace them and offer them all the opportunity she offers to everybody else. Truly, everybody who comes to this country is entitled to their unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". That is what the American Dream really is.
During the Great Depression of the early part of the twentieth century, the American Dream was regarded as all but lost as well. But through strong leadership and faith of the people, the Americans pulled out of the Depression stronger than ever, leading to a time of peace and glory that would ultimately put them on top of the globe as the world's most powerful nation. The American Dream isn't just a tangible object that can be possessed. It is a spirit and belief, of patriotism and hope, that carries Americans through their life. It is that hope that maybe, just maybe, we can. It's the same hope that made all those British-American colonists join what looked like a hopeless cause three hundred years ago, and the same hope that makes citizens give up the comforts of their home for the hardships of life as a soldier overseas. It's the same hope that George Washington held in his heart that he can do it, and the same hope that Barack Obama holds in his heart, that truly, "Yes, we can." The American Dream is very much alive today as it was three hundred years ago. The utterance of the word is not as common, but still, inside the heart of every citizen and politician, from the richest to the poorest, the sun that has kept America going for three hundred years is a rising sun, not a setting sun.
Although it's hard to imagine, the American Dream is just as real now as it was five, ten or even fifteen years ago. The American Dream lives in the heart of those few who are brave enough to stare into the eyes of defeat and say, "We still can." The belief that one little step at a time, one vote and a time, we can change the world, is kept alive, fueling the fire inside each and every American's heart. Many doubt the President right now after seeing him in office for two years. His smoothness has worn off after being exposed to the harsh reality of political office. But the American Dream carries on; despite all obstacles or setbacks we might encounter, we still can. Even with the constant bickering of Republicans and Democrats, the unhappy citizens over many laws and policies, and a still uncertain economy, we will succeed.
Being the child of immigrants, I see the American Dream as clearly as anybody. It is the dream that inspired both my parents to move. It was the promise of a better life, not by their status or family wealth, but by nothing but their own skill and determination. It was in hopes that they could provide a better life for me that they moved, and I'm very grateful they did, because now, the dream is passed on to the next generation. A new generation will see the harshness of reality, but still look it right in the eye and not back down.
That is the true American Dream.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thanksgiving
A whole 389 years ago, in the year 1621, a group of Pilgrims and Native Americans got together for a three-day celebration, which later became known as the first Thanksgiving feast. It was a time to celebrate and laugh, to enjoy the simple pleasure of life. It was a feast of thanks, to the Native Americans for helping them get through their first year, to God, for "guiding them to the Native Americans", and probably just plain luck for still being able to live, eat, and play. From that year on, the principles of Thanksgiving still sounds, even 389 years after the first "thanksgiving". It's still a time to step back from the great rat race and look around, a time to just be thankful for what you do have. As one follows an average, modern day life, everyday is a routine, a maze where one has to avoid as many pitfalls as possible. With so many out there, one can't help but just see all of the negative parts and none of the positive parts. As a student, I have lots to worry about: grades, friends, sports, and all sorts of things. Sometimes, I might be sad that I didn't do so well in my baseball game, or when I don't get the grade that I wanted. It might be my fault, or it might be just luck. This holds true for most people I know, too. Too often do you hear of people protesting this bill or that law, complaining about how little our president has done, or how bad the economy is. Far too often can you hear the complaining of how this one person just "got lucky", or how unlucky one has been. But Thanksgiving is that day where you can just step above that everyday thinking, look around, and realize what a lucky person you are. Not everybody can have parents that care for you and respect your decisions and independence. Not everybody can have food on their table every morning, noon, and night. Not everybody has the chance to live in the most powerful country in the world, which happens also to be the one that gives the most rights to its citizens. Not everybody can have an education, a house, clothing to wear, or any of the things that you might have. Is it your right to have any of those things? Of course not; as a kid, it just happens that you got born into a family that can provide those things for you, and you should be thankful for that. Anything that isn't a right to have is a privilege, and Thanksgiving is all about just being grateful for all your privileges. After all, from the poorest man to the richest, the tallest to the shortest, the strongest to the weakest, everybody has something to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving is just for realizing that fact.
Thanksgiving is just for realizing that fact.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
More Art...
Here are the images of the art that were shown in the video:
Title: Yes We Can
Theme: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" -Abraham Lincoln
Medium: Sharpies and pen
Title: Peace.Green
Theme: Together We Can...
Medium: Color Pencils
Title: Cézanne's Town of Gardanne
Theme: Recreation of Cezanne's painting
Medium: Charcoal
Title: Obama
Theme: Mosaic Portrait
Medium: Pencil
 |
Title: Albert Pujols Theme: Portrait Medium: Pencil |
Title: By the Sea
Theme: Seascape
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Title: My Shoe
Theme: Sketch
Medium: Pencil
Title: Beijing Olympics
Theme: The evolution of Olympics from its beginnings in Greece to the most modern, '08 Beijing Olympics
Medium: Color pencils
Title: Beijing '08
Theme: The meaning of the Olympics: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Latin for Faster, Higher, Stronger), but above all, peace
Medium: Color Pencils
Friday, November 12, 2010
Art Video
To the left of this post you will find a video bar, where you can find one of my videos that I created. It contains some of my artwork that I've drawn. Enjoy :)
(You can also find this video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGRPDx22DM)
(You can also find this video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGRPDx22DM)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Election Day 2010
Here we are again: November. Every two years, November is the time for major political reforms. It's when the American public gets to decide who's going to be in charge for the next two years. It's a time to let the government know exactly what is on the people's minds; it's supposed to be the grand and glorious time that separates America from all other countries. Hundreds of years of protest and cries of foul has given the people of today their voice in the government. This day would be the day that America's beauty would shine at its greatest, our forefathers had hoped before. But instead of this glorious day that people had imagined, this day is instead a bold reminder of the great divide between the people of America. This year, as the citizens of America grew unhappy about the absence of change promised by the Democrats in 2006 and 2008, they decided to give the Republicans a chance to change the government. As a result, they gained much more Republicans in the House (eventually winning the House), a decent amount of increase in the Senate, and some more in gubernatorial races across the country. But as Republicans celebrate, what is the cost of giving so much power to one political party? How did it come to this day, where political parties have split to this extent? The answer comes from sources earlier than one would expect.
The first movement towards political parties were the split in opinions between Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) and Thomas Jefferson (Republicans), back in the very beginning of America. Their split in opinions was the start, the push, that set off the pendulum. Ever since, the American public has decided that the best way to run the country was to give all the power to one party. The pendulum that represents American's faith will swing from the far left to the far right, from Democrats to Republicans, always in a continual motion, when in fact the purpose was to get to the perfect equilibrium.
None of this political divide is more evident than when Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said ahead of the election,“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." In the current state of America, with almost everything appearing like a problem, the biggest concern for the Republicans is to make sure President Obama isn't re-elected? Not even thinking about the still underachieving economy, the big healthcare issue that still looms, the terrorists threats posed, or even just the basic well-being of the average American citizen, the biggest issue is to make sure one's own party gains more power? The whole meaning of parties is tarnished with this comment: parties are a group of people with similar political beliefs, not a group of people that wants to have different political views from the other party. Democrats and Republicans alike should learn to compromise to move together towards a better future for America, not argue just for the sake of arguing with the opposite party. The only way to achieve the "perfect equilibrium" is to put aside one's differences and compromise. As George Washington, one of this country's most revered presidents has said before, "With slight shades of difference, you [the American people] have the same manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together." The key here is just not to magnify those "slight shades of differences".
The first movement towards political parties were the split in opinions between Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) and Thomas Jefferson (Republicans), back in the very beginning of America. Their split in opinions was the start, the push, that set off the pendulum. Ever since, the American public has decided that the best way to run the country was to give all the power to one party. The pendulum that represents American's faith will swing from the far left to the far right, from Democrats to Republicans, always in a continual motion, when in fact the purpose was to get to the perfect equilibrium.
None of this political divide is more evident than when Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said ahead of the election,“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." In the current state of America, with almost everything appearing like a problem, the biggest concern for the Republicans is to make sure President Obama isn't re-elected? Not even thinking about the still underachieving economy, the big healthcare issue that still looms, the terrorists threats posed, or even just the basic well-being of the average American citizen, the biggest issue is to make sure one's own party gains more power? The whole meaning of parties is tarnished with this comment: parties are a group of people with similar political beliefs, not a group of people that wants to have different political views from the other party. Democrats and Republicans alike should learn to compromise to move together towards a better future for America, not argue just for the sake of arguing with the opposite party. The only way to achieve the "perfect equilibrium" is to put aside one's differences and compromise. As George Washington, one of this country's most revered presidents has said before, "With slight shades of difference, you [the American people] have the same manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together." The key here is just not to magnify those "slight shades of differences".
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Art
These are some of the sketches that I drew. I used charcoal for the first two, and pencil for the last one.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Doing the Wrong Thing... or Nothing at all?
Theodore Roosevelt, one of America's most popular presidents, once said, "In the moment of decision, we have three options: make the right decision, make the wrong decision, or make no decision at all. The best thing we can do is make the right decision. The next best thing we can do is make the wrong decision. And the worst thing we can do is nothing." Obviously, the right decision is the best thing we can do. Now, the big question is, is making the wrong decision better than making no decision at all? When one makes no decision, he is either too unconcerned, lazy, or cowardly to do anything. In life, you have to take risks, and the possibility of making the wrong decision is part of that risk. To make it big, one has to be unique, and to be unique, one has to stand out. To stand out, one will have to be different. Whether people love this difference or hate one because of it, that choice is out of one's own grasp. All one has to do is make sure that this risk is worth taking, and that at least in one's own heart, it is for the right cause. Because risks make up the larger portion of one's life, and that the definition of right and wrong is in one's own heart, Mr. Roosevelt was right when he told all of America that the wrong thing is better than nothing.
First of all, life is all about taking risks. If you don't take any risks, you won't lose anything, but you won't gain anything, either. If one does what he or she thinks is right, and in the end, doesn't succeed, then at least he or she had put up their best fight. One example of this comes from the movement to break the color barrier in 1955. Rosa Parks, an African American civil rights activist, was tired after a day of work and got onto a bus. When a white person told her to move (at that time, white people had priority to bus seats), Rosa Parks firmly told him, "No." Although against the law at that time, in her heart, she believed that African Americans had just as much of a right to be respected as anybody else on the planet. In the end, she "didn't succeed" in the fight for the bus seat, but she won a much bigger battle: a battle to end segregation. This risk might have looked like a huge risk for anybody else watching, but it was the right thing to do in Rosa Park's heart, and she took it and kept on going with it, and that's why ultimately, she succeeded in her mission that started on that bus in 1955. She had done the "wrong thing" (or at least what most people thought of as the wrong thing at that time) instead of just doing nothing, and that risk payed off in the end. In another sense,one can see life as a big poker game. Decisions must be made, and to win, one must go "all in". If winning in poker symbolizes one's goal in real life, then most of the time, you can't win without the risk of losing. Those who lose because of their risk at least disappear trying their best, while those that play carefully fade away slowly. In the end, the fans recognize that person that lost big in the poker game, not that person that quietly slipped out of the game. One has to take risks to win, and whether that decision ultimately pays off or not, that's up for fate to decide.
In addition, right and wrong is what one human uses to describe an event or action according to his or her own feelings and ethics code. Since every single human is unique, there isn't a strict universal system of right or wrong, but only that little voice coming from the bottom of one's heart. Now, some people may argue that things like murder are universally wrong, but even that isn't true. Do some people think it's right to execute (or kill) terrorists? Absolutely: many people inside the United States feel that it's only right. But what is this, put simply? It's just murder, no matter what light one paints it in. We may define this as justice, but once again, is this right or wrong? This is entirely up for the individual to decide. Many people have strong opinions on this, and as any good politician knows, you just can't please them all. With this is mind, the only "true definition" of right or wrong truly does come from the individual, and from there comes the saying, "Always follow your heart." In a time of decision, that is the only way to go. Back in the eighteenth century, when America was but a colony, leaders of America followed their hearts and beliefs that starting the Revolutionary War was the only way to stop the so called "rain of unfair treatment". Since America won in the end, it is now largely believed that starting the war was based on the romantic idea of liberty, justice, and peace, since it is "the winners who write the history books." In England, though, the colonists were seen as criminals whose greediness for money led to the death of hundreds of thousands of British subjects (both on the American side and the British side). Once again, it's all a matter of perspective. But leaders like George Washington followed their heart, took a big risk, and ended up as a hero. this might not always be the case, but fighting for what one believes is essential, no matter what the cost is. It's always better to take action and fail than to grumble for the rest of one's life about something.
Truly, Theodore Roosevelt knew what he was talking about. Though the initial reaction to the quote may not have been positive, when one thinks carefully and considers the definition of right and wrong, and the role risks plays in one's life, Mr. Roosevelt would obviously be correct: it's better to take a risk and lose than to do nothing at all.
First of all, life is all about taking risks. If you don't take any risks, you won't lose anything, but you won't gain anything, either. If one does what he or she thinks is right, and in the end, doesn't succeed, then at least he or she had put up their best fight. One example of this comes from the movement to break the color barrier in 1955. Rosa Parks, an African American civil rights activist, was tired after a day of work and got onto a bus. When a white person told her to move (at that time, white people had priority to bus seats), Rosa Parks firmly told him, "No." Although against the law at that time, in her heart, she believed that African Americans had just as much of a right to be respected as anybody else on the planet. In the end, she "didn't succeed" in the fight for the bus seat, but she won a much bigger battle: a battle to end segregation. This risk might have looked like a huge risk for anybody else watching, but it was the right thing to do in Rosa Park's heart, and she took it and kept on going with it, and that's why ultimately, she succeeded in her mission that started on that bus in 1955. She had done the "wrong thing" (or at least what most people thought of as the wrong thing at that time) instead of just doing nothing, and that risk payed off in the end. In another sense,one can see life as a big poker game. Decisions must be made, and to win, one must go "all in". If winning in poker symbolizes one's goal in real life, then most of the time, you can't win without the risk of losing. Those who lose because of their risk at least disappear trying their best, while those that play carefully fade away slowly. In the end, the fans recognize that person that lost big in the poker game, not that person that quietly slipped out of the game. One has to take risks to win, and whether that decision ultimately pays off or not, that's up for fate to decide.
In addition, right and wrong is what one human uses to describe an event or action according to his or her own feelings and ethics code. Since every single human is unique, there isn't a strict universal system of right or wrong, but only that little voice coming from the bottom of one's heart. Now, some people may argue that things like murder are universally wrong, but even that isn't true. Do some people think it's right to execute (or kill) terrorists? Absolutely: many people inside the United States feel that it's only right. But what is this, put simply? It's just murder, no matter what light one paints it in. We may define this as justice, but once again, is this right or wrong? This is entirely up for the individual to decide. Many people have strong opinions on this, and as any good politician knows, you just can't please them all. With this is mind, the only "true definition" of right or wrong truly does come from the individual, and from there comes the saying, "Always follow your heart." In a time of decision, that is the only way to go. Back in the eighteenth century, when America was but a colony, leaders of America followed their hearts and beliefs that starting the Revolutionary War was the only way to stop the so called "rain of unfair treatment". Since America won in the end, it is now largely believed that starting the war was based on the romantic idea of liberty, justice, and peace, since it is "the winners who write the history books." In England, though, the colonists were seen as criminals whose greediness for money led to the death of hundreds of thousands of British subjects (both on the American side and the British side). Once again, it's all a matter of perspective. But leaders like George Washington followed their heart, took a big risk, and ended up as a hero. this might not always be the case, but fighting for what one believes is essential, no matter what the cost is. It's always better to take action and fail than to grumble for the rest of one's life about something.
Truly, Theodore Roosevelt knew what he was talking about. Though the initial reaction to the quote may not have been positive, when one thinks carefully and considers the definition of right and wrong, and the role risks plays in one's life, Mr. Roosevelt would obviously be correct: it's better to take a risk and lose than to do nothing at all.
Monday, March 15, 2010
What they tell me
They tell me you're the best ever.
They tell me that you've got talent nobody's possessed since the beginning of time.
They tell me that you'll be fine in the Majors, maybe even the best.
Your mom tells me that you're that one special guy, who can lead a team through anything.
Your friends tell me that you're a certain future Hall of Famer.
Your coach tells me that you're a living highlight reel.
They tell me all of your accomplishments, all of your awards
They tell me why you're going to succeed, why you can be so good.
They tell me all this, and yet it doesn't mean one thing.
Zero.
None.
Not one.
Because I don't care what others say.
Don't tell me.
Show me.
They tell me that you've got talent nobody's possessed since the beginning of time.
They tell me that you'll be fine in the Majors, maybe even the best.
Your mom tells me that you're that one special guy, who can lead a team through anything.
Your friends tell me that you're a certain future Hall of Famer.
Your coach tells me that you're a living highlight reel.
They tell me all of your accomplishments, all of your awards
They tell me why you're going to succeed, why you can be so good.
They tell me all this, and yet it doesn't mean one thing.
Zero.
None.
Not one.
Because I don't care what others say.
Don't tell me.
Show me.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
More Writing!
People are always looking for acceptance and love; almost every human on this planet wants to be loved by somebody, and wants to be accepted by the public. Because of this desire, people always strive to do what's popular, and what's right. Since these are things people often aim at, they are easily confused with each other. But they're the same thing, right? Isn't the public always right? No, sometimes what's popular might not be right, and what's right might not be popular. Sometimes, even the president makes some mistakes, like what Lyndon B. Johnson said: "A President's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right." The fact is, even the president might not know what's right; he obviously wants to do what's best for his country (most of the time), and he acts on what he thinks is right. But he might make a mistake; after all, he's human, too. In fact, Howard Cosell once said, "What's right isn't always popular. What's popular isn't always right." So if these two aren't the same things, which one should rank above the other? Many scholars have debated this over the centuries, and the solutions is that doing what's right is important, even if it might offend the public. It's how all important historical figures came to be: trusting their own opinions, and acting strongly on their opinions. The book Next, by Michael Crichton, is a fine example of doing what's right over doing what's popular. In the book, BioTech, a genetic engineering company, finds out that Frank and his family's cells are especially valuable, as they have special adaptations to recover from diseases quicker. Having their cells being owned by that company, what's popular obviously would be to give in, and let them take the cells. But in their hearts, they knew that this was unfair; as a result, they did what's right, and ran away. This is how many great historical events started. A strong force, having lasted hundreds of thousands of years, has become corrupt and unjust. Although many people know that it's unfair, it takes one person to truly stand up to the force. For example, the Revolutionary War was started when people became brave enough to stand up to the all powerful British. This kind of courage spread through the States, and this is the reason why the United States of America stands today. Much is similar with the French Revolution. Poor peasants have been miserably treated, and it took one peasant to stand up to the aristocrats, and one peasant to lead a revolution that would change history forever. So do what's right, not what's popular, for often times, it's your opinion that is right, and not the so called "popular" opinion.
The game of chess is truly an interesting topic... it's a sport for those not very fit, a gymnasium for the mind, and a game that teaches patience among other things. Because of all the qualities chess teaches, many people have connected this to a man's life. "Chess is life," Bobby Fischer once said. There are so many similarities. In a game of chess, the objective is to capture the enemy's king, and there are so many ways to do so; whereas in life, the objective is to achieve a goal one has, and as in chess, there are many ways to achieve the goal. In chess, one has to have a foresight, like when Charles Buxton says, "In life, as in chess, forethought wins." Also similar to life is the fact that chess teaches of patience and unexpected turns, which leads to the ultimate lesson: keeping the big picture in mind. How many times has one got caught up in small battles, like trying to save one's queen, when the enemy exposes his king? The patience is vital to anticipating and waiting for the enemy to make a mistake. The unexpected turns teaches one that in a world where change is the only constant, one can expect turns in the game; as Ron Livingston says, "Life is always like chess. Just because you have the king surrounded, don't think he is not capable of hurting you." All of these lessons are vital for life, and in the book Next, by Michael Crichton, these lessons are again emphasized through the character of Watson. Watson was the VP of BioGen in the beginning of the book, and his goal was to seize complete control of BioGen; however, he lacked most (or all) of the vital skills chess teaches one, so he goes about it all wrong. First of all, is the lesson that one should be mindful of the rules. In chess, following the rules is vital; one illegal move, and one is disqualified. Same goes for life; one broken rule (law), and one is disqualified for an undefined period (jail). Obviously not knowing this, Watson foolishly goes around hiring bounty hunters and others to get rid of Rick Diehl. Next is the fact that chess players must have control over one's emotions, as in life. When a chess player takes out an important piece in the game, the other player must not let their emotions control them and act rashly, causing future harm, just like in life, when one agitates another, one cannot act rashly and according to one's emotions. This will lead to future trouble, which nobody wants. But Watson doesn't mind this trait, and lets his anger and rage dictate his actions, which lands him in a lot of legal trouble. The third trait to be mindful of is patience; everybody's heard of the quote, "Good things come to those who wait." Acting immediately may be helpful in some scenarios, but in others, they're a sign of weakness. Act immediately when needing to, but patience is a virtue. Jack Watson is a man of power, so he wants his actions immediately. Only later does he realize that if he had struck later, he might not have ended up where he is right now. Last but certainly not least, is the big picture. Everybody has heard of the big picture before, but what exactly is the big picture? It's life, and your individual goals. In chess, the big picture is to capture the king. All actions in the game are in the big picture. But sometimes one gets a little too caught up in specific little things that one forgets the big picture. Straying too far off the track is unnecessary, and most of the time, unhelpful. it doesn't matter if one looses one's queen, but still gets the king. But forgetting the big picture and saving your queen but letting one's king get caught is bad. Jack Watson, as usual, forgets the big picture. He's so caught up with getting the spot in BioGen that he forgets everything else, including his health, which later causes him to die a premature death. Like my mom always says, if one receives as score for how well one lived their life, the first digit would be health. If health is a 0, then the whole number would be pointless. So don't be a Jack Watson, and keep priorities. Life's a big chess match, so keep in mind the qualities one must have in life, and one will do pretty well. But forget these guidelines, and one just might end up like Jack Watson.
The game of chess is truly an interesting topic... it's a sport for those not very fit, a gymnasium for the mind, and a game that teaches patience among other things. Because of all the qualities chess teaches, many people have connected this to a man's life. "Chess is life," Bobby Fischer once said. There are so many similarities. In a game of chess, the objective is to capture the enemy's king, and there are so many ways to do so; whereas in life, the objective is to achieve a goal one has, and as in chess, there are many ways to achieve the goal. In chess, one has to have a foresight, like when Charles Buxton says, "In life, as in chess, forethought wins." Also similar to life is the fact that chess teaches of patience and unexpected turns, which leads to the ultimate lesson: keeping the big picture in mind. How many times has one got caught up in small battles, like trying to save one's queen, when the enemy exposes his king? The patience is vital to anticipating and waiting for the enemy to make a mistake. The unexpected turns teaches one that in a world where change is the only constant, one can expect turns in the game; as Ron Livingston says, "Life is always like chess. Just because you have the king surrounded, don't think he is not capable of hurting you." All of these lessons are vital for life, and in the book Next, by Michael Crichton, these lessons are again emphasized through the character of Watson. Watson was the VP of BioGen in the beginning of the book, and his goal was to seize complete control of BioGen; however, he lacked most (or all) of the vital skills chess teaches one, so he goes about it all wrong. First of all, is the lesson that one should be mindful of the rules. In chess, following the rules is vital; one illegal move, and one is disqualified. Same goes for life; one broken rule (law), and one is disqualified for an undefined period (jail). Obviously not knowing this, Watson foolishly goes around hiring bounty hunters and others to get rid of Rick Diehl. Next is the fact that chess players must have control over one's emotions, as in life. When a chess player takes out an important piece in the game, the other player must not let their emotions control them and act rashly, causing future harm, just like in life, when one agitates another, one cannot act rashly and according to one's emotions. This will lead to future trouble, which nobody wants. But Watson doesn't mind this trait, and lets his anger and rage dictate his actions, which lands him in a lot of legal trouble. The third trait to be mindful of is patience; everybody's heard of the quote, "Good things come to those who wait." Acting immediately may be helpful in some scenarios, but in others, they're a sign of weakness. Act immediately when needing to, but patience is a virtue. Jack Watson is a man of power, so he wants his actions immediately. Only later does he realize that if he had struck later, he might not have ended up where he is right now. Last but certainly not least, is the big picture. Everybody has heard of the big picture before, but what exactly is the big picture? It's life, and your individual goals. In chess, the big picture is to capture the king. All actions in the game are in the big picture. But sometimes one gets a little too caught up in specific little things that one forgets the big picture. Straying too far off the track is unnecessary, and most of the time, unhelpful. it doesn't matter if one looses one's queen, but still gets the king. But forgetting the big picture and saving your queen but letting one's king get caught is bad. Jack Watson, as usual, forgets the big picture. He's so caught up with getting the spot in BioGen that he forgets everything else, including his health, which later causes him to die a premature death. Like my mom always says, if one receives as score for how well one lived their life, the first digit would be health. If health is a 0, then the whole number would be pointless. So don't be a Jack Watson, and keep priorities. Life's a big chess match, so keep in mind the qualities one must have in life, and one will do pretty well. But forget these guidelines, and one just might end up like Jack Watson.
Writing
Life is full of relationships; relationships between friends, relationships between relatives, classmates, and all the other relationships make our lives fun and meaningful. Each type of relationship is unique, and all are valuable, though some may be more obvious than others. For example, through a true friend, one can learn the qualities of courage, loyalty, etc., through an authority figure (parent, teacher), one can learn the qualities of obedience and honesty, and through even relationships between bullies and the bullied, people can learn to stand up for themselves, and to have courage. All these things make our lives meaningful, so that we can learn through others' weaknesses and strong points to make ourselves a better person. This is the true meaning of society; this is the true reason to live together in a community. The reason is to help each other and to learn from each other. In the book Carter Finally Gets It, by Brent Crawford, Carter has a life full of all kinds of relationships: ones with his girlfriend, Abby, ones with his worst enemy, Andre, and ones with his friends. Each type is a valuable lesson to be learned, each one a unique experience. For example, Carter develops courage, learning it from Abby. At he beginning of the book, he's stuttering and unfocused around girls. Now, he feels that he can be himself around them. Even though he still might be scared to death around girls still, he has developed the courage to approach them. He also learns the quality of loyalty. In one very klutz move, he tells Abby that he loves her, and then asks Amber Lee, another girl, to the school dance. Upon hearing this, Abby is really sad, and decides to break up with Carter. Carter learned through this experience that it is truly important to be loyal. Through his friends, he learns many other qualities, and even through the unlikely teacher, his worst enemy, Andre. Through Andre, he learns how to destroy enemies. No, that doesn't mean Carter got a rifle and shot Andre. He didn't literally destroy his enemy by killing or even hurting Andre. No, he destroyed his enemy by getting rid of his enemy; notice that he got rid of his enemy, not Andre. That means that he made friends with Andre. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?" Isn't that true? Yes, in the beginning of the book, he tried to take out Andre by trying to beat him at everything, from football to swimming. In fact, it even works sometimes. He's so mad at his enemy that he overcame his weak, not athletic self to slam into Andre, the running back of the football team, and tackle him and set him back in every way possible. But he later learned that literally bruising him would not set him back; he needed to get rid of the enemy quicker. That's why Andre is now his friend. More friends and less enemies makes a person way better than if he or she is weakening themselves or/and others by constantly fighting. So every person has a unique and valuable lesson that they can offer, whether it's one's enemy, or their best friend.
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